Emergency Procedures Flashcards

What is 'crisis communication' and why is it important during emergencies?

Answer: The planned, coordinated communication with staff, families, media, authorities and stakeholders during and after an emergency

Crisis communication ensures clear, accurate, timely information reaches all stakeholders: employees (what to do), families (welfare information), media (managed messaging), authorities (incident details), and customers/suppliers (business impact). Poor communication causes confusion, panic, and reputational damage.

What is a 'refuge point' in a building?

Answer: A designated area of relative safety within a building where people (particularly those who cannot use stairs) can wait for assisted evacuation

A refuge point is a designated area within a building (usually on a staircase landing or in a protected lobby) where people who cannot evacuate independently — particularly those with mobility impairments — can wait for assisted evacuation by trained personnel or the fire service. Communication should be available at the refuge point.

What psychological support should be available after a serious emergency?

Answer: Access to counselling, critical incident stress debriefing, occupational health support, and ongoing monitoring for delayed stress reactions

After a serious emergency, employers should provide: access to professional counselling and support services, critical incident stress debriefing, occupational health assessments, peer support, information about normal stress reactions, and ongoing monitoring for delayed reactions including PTSD. Managers should be trained to recognise signs of distress.

What is 'CBRN' in the context of emergency planning?

Answer: Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear — categories of hazardous materials that may be involved in deliberate or accidental emergencies

CBRN stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear hazards. In emergency planning, CBRN covers responses to incidents involving these hazardous materials, whether accidental (industrial accidents) or deliberate (terrorism). Specialist equipment and training are needed for CBRN responses.

What is the purpose of 'tabletop exercises' in emergency planning?

Answer: Discussion-based exercises where key personnel talk through their response to a simulated emergency scenario without physical activity

Tabletop exercises are discussion-based sessions where key personnel sit around a table and talk through their response to a realistic emergency scenario. They test decision-making, communication, and coordination without the disruption of a full physical exercise. They are particularly useful for testing major incident plans.

How should emergency procedures account for contractors and visitors?

Answer: They must be informed of emergency procedures on arrival, included in the evacuation plan, and their presence must be tracked through a signing-in system

Contractors and visitors must: sign in and out (so they can be accounted for), receive information about emergency procedures and assembly points on arrival (visitor induction), be included in evacuation plans, and have an identified host or escort who is responsible for them during an emergency.